Be Bold!

Boldness is a characteristic that can be used to describe someone in a positive or a negative way. If it were not for some daring, courageous, brave and fearless moves by people through history, well ... today would look a bit different. Consider the life of Ruth: in an otherwise hopeless situation with few options - a widow and childless - she boldly chose uncertainty, leaving her homeland and all she had ever known to go with her mother-in-law to Bethlehem. I suggest that was a bold move of great faith! The four chapters of the Book of Ruth track her uncertain journey to a certain end: Ruth married Boaz ... gave birth to a son ... named him Obed who was the father of Jesse who was the father of David (see Ruth 4:13-22). You don't have to be a Biblical scholar to know Jesus came to us through the line of King David! God used Ruth's bold move of faith to bring about His purpose of salvation for you and for me. What kind of bold moves are you making these days? Does uncertainty paralyze or progress you? Hebrews 11:1-2 NASB says, "Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. For by it the people of old gained approval." If our boldness depends upon certainty, there's an absence of faith! Ruth gained approval by God as well as secured her reputation for generations by her bold faith - not allowing uncertainty to intimidate her. There's a huge demand today for that kind of bold faith ... be bold!

Number the Days

How has the place you live changed over the years? Even if your home is somewhat new to you, I suspect they've been some changes. Several years ago, Mister Bill and I sold our house of forty-plus years and moved into a smaller place that once belonged to his grandfather. This old farmhouse has had several additions and remodels since it was built in the 1940's. Moses prayed, "LORD, You have been our dwelling place [our refuge, our sanctuary, our stability] in all generations. Before the mountains were born or before You had given birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are [the eternal] God." (Psalm 90:1-2 AMP). This house was built three generations ago; it's fair to say, there's been a lot of living done under its roof. Indeed, it's provided refuge, sanctuary, stability for those who've lived here; however, it does not compare to God Who Himself is our "dwelling place." What constant hope and comfort is ours when we choose to pray as Moses prayed, "O satisfy us with Your lovingkindness in the morning ... that we may rejoice and be glad all our days" (V.14). Mister Bill and I jokingly say this place is a work-in-progress - I guess he's right! I'm so glad God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow - He cannot improve upon Himself! What a wonderful habitation - the safe and all-sufficient dwelling place for every day of life here. Teach me, Lord to "cultivate and bring to You a heart of wisdom" (V.12). What a way to ... number the days!

A Safe Heart

Personal safety is a matter of concern today. Among other things, each night Mister Bill faithfully and routinely checks the doors, making sure they are locked. For sure, we do not live in fear but we aren't oblivious to dangers that exist. In the same regard, how well do we protect our hearts? God says, "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23 AMP). He's pretty clear that the heart needs protection, and our first thought is to protect it from outside influences - and rightly so. However, I suggest there's more to the guardianship of the heart; let's back up a few verses: "My son, pay attention to My words and be willing to learn; open your ears to My sayings. Do not let them escape from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing and health to all their flesh." (Verses 20-22 AMP). The psalmist said, "I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You" (Psalm 119:111 ESV). The children of God must have God's words at the center of their hearts! There is to be a "constancy of heart and purpose, honesty in speech, steadiness of gaze, and a right goal in walk and life" (Amplified Study Bible). Ultimately, it's not just what we lock-out of our hearts - it's also what we lock-in our heart! The practice of watching over our heart includes habits of careful choices - what we read, watch, listen to, who we hang with and conversations we engage in. Trust me, it's something we do faithfully and routinely and one that brings immeasurable rewards. Keep your heart safe!

Embrace the Ifs

Watching a little one beginning to do things for himself, we see that I-can-do-it-all-by-myself principle at work. Unfortunately, we seem to never outgrow it! In this information age, answers are everywhere! Whether you want to explore possibilities or search for specific answers, knowledge is available. God said, "My son, IF you will receive My words and treasure my commandments within you, so that your ear is attentive to [skillful and godly] wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding [seeking it conscientiously and striving for it eagerly]; yes, IF you cry out for insight, and lift up your voice for understanding; IF you seek skillfully and godly wisdom as you would silver and search for her as you would hidden treasures; then you will understand the [reverent] fear of the LORD [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] and discover the knowledge of God." (Proverbs 2:1-5 AMP). I noted all the the "ifs" in this passage; IF is the condition by which [God says] we find true wisdom and knowledge. Let me suggest it's only the first step, however; the completion comes when we  THEN put Godly wisdom and knowledge into practice! We can watch an instructional video but unless we put the instructions to work - apply the knowledge - we miss the understanding. I encourage us all not to stumble-over the IFS; no, don't see the IFS as options. God put the IFS there leading us to guide us into Godly understanding. Embrace the IFS!

Your Soul Knows

Oh, the things we fail to truly appreciate until they are unavailable! Things like electricity, running water, air conditioning, a properly working washing machine - the value of these modern conveniences are often overlooked. In Lamentations 3 Jeremiah spend quite a few verses on his afflictions: "I am the man who has seen affliction because of the rod of His wrath. He has led me and made me walk in darkness and not in light. Surely He has turned His hand against me repeatedly all the day." (Lamentations 3:1-3 AMP). He continues throughout the chapter to describe a dismal life filled with enemies of his soul and a tremendous hopelessness that threatened. For sure, we can identify with him in this regard. Our focus can become the have-nots of life rather than what we know to be true. Thankfully, Jeremiah doesn't linger there too long: "But this I call to mind, therefore I have hope. It is because of the LORD's lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness." (Verses 21-23). The mercies of God are always sweet and welcomed but perhaps after times of intense struggle, they seem sweeter and more welcome; it is good that we are afflicted, that we suffer. It is in those hard times, we become more aware of who God is and how tender He is always toward us. Jackie Gleason was known to say, "how sweet it is;" and David said in Psalm 139:14, "my soul knows it very well." O child of God, listen to what ... your soul knows.